Corylus colurna

Turkish Hazel is a large deciduous tree with edible fruits in the beech family.  It can grow up to 50 feet tall when planted as a yard tree or street, however, in its native environment, it can reach heights of up to 80'.

Prized by landscape contractors for its showy dense horizontal branches.  Its main limbs are small in diameter compared to its straight trunk.  The branches sit at almost a 90-degree angle in relation to the trunk.  This makes the tree quite durable and helps maintain its symmetrical crown.  

Its flowers can begin to bloom in February or March, the leaves are among the last to drop at the end of the season and its bare branches add to the winter garden, giving this tree somewhat year round interest.

Its female flowers are insignificant reddish scars, while the male flowers make a showy appearance in the landscape.

Although edible, the thick, hard shell of the nuts can be difficult to penetrate.  However, once opened, the nuts have a mild taste and a long shelf life.  

It is drought tolerant once established and works well in urban spaces making an excellent lawn shade or street tree.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  Japanese beetles can defoliate portions of the tree.  This tree has poor transplant survival rate.